n the heart of Durban, a creative renaissance is underway, one that not only encourages artistic expression but also builds a strong sense of community. As artists gather to hone their skills and explore their creativity, we highlight two dance companies that are transforming lives through the power of dance. Founded by Lliane Loots, the Flatfoot Dance Company emerged from a pressing need for a dedicated space where young black dancers could get contemporary training. Reflecting on the early days, Loots recalls: “It started at that historic moment in 1994, just as a training programme for dancers. “I realised that there was a lack of space, specifically for young black dancers to come and learn contemporary dance training ... I was surprised because people just started to come,” said the artistic director.

Jamie Fine, the Canadian singer-songwriter, is coming back to South Africa with her highly anticipated 'If This Is It' tour. This tour will mark her third live performance in South Africa. She’s set to captivate audiences at the Durban Botanic Gardens on April 19, before heading to Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg on April 26, followed by the Hartland Equestrian Park in the North West on April 28. On May 1, she will be in Gqeberha at the Andrew Rabie High School and will round off her tour at the Van Der Stel Sports Club in Stellenbosch, Cape Town on May 3. The Ottawa-born artist and Juno fellow nominee, has garnered an impressive following with over 100 million global streams.

A Windhoek hotel hosted the much-anticipated Miss Petite Global Namibia 2025 pageant over the weekend, where Josephine Shaapopi (21) was crowned the winner. Shaapopi also took home the title of Miss Photogenic in a category solely voted for by photographers from MP Studios Namibia. The Miss Petite Global pageant aims to celebrate the diversity and talents of women under 168cm in height who may otherwise be excluded from modelling. In the keenly contested competition, Shaapopi, a fashion design student at the College of the Arts, impressed the judges and audience alike. “Being crowned Miss Petite Global Namibia 2025 is an empowering and surreal moment for me,” she says.

Every year, new talent emerges—though many have spent years honing their craft before catching a fan’s attention, let alone mainstream recognition. Rap faces an even tougher climb, with limited airplay making it harder for artists to gain traction. That’s why it’s always exciting to see someone push past the odds and make their mark. Based on streams, buzz, uniqueness, and critical acclaim, here are seven rap acts poised for a breakthrough in 2025. Taz first made waves in 2022 at Rap City, Kigali’s first-ever cypher at BK Arena, where he competed among battle rappers vying for a spot as BK Arena artistes. Though he finished as a runner-up, true recognition didn’t come until 2023, when he joined the GMF collective. That year, he dropped No Kaiza Shit—arguably his breakout track—while also featuring on Exodus and Speed Race EPs.

Rwandan music legend Makanyaga Abdul takes pride in the role he played in shaping Bruce Melodie’s career. The veteran artist, known for his timeless traditional hits, revealed that a simple piece of advice he gave Melodie years ago still guides the superstar today. Bruce Melodie, now one of Rwanda’s biggest artists, has often expressed admiration for Makanyaga, performing his songs and acknowledging his influence. The two musicians have shared the stage multiple times, including a memorable concert in France. Makanyaga, who has spent over five decades in music, has built a reputation for mentoring young talents, and Melodie was one of them. Speaking to InyaRwanda, Makanyaga recalled meeting a young Bruce Melodie, then just 15 years old, eager to learn music. “He approached me after a meeting, greeted me, and said, ‘I love your music.’ He then asked if he could join my music training sessions,” Makanyaga shared. “I told him, ‘Whenever you are ready, just come.’”

British rapper Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr., known professionally as Skepta, has weighed in on controversial Nigerian singer Portable’s constant dragging of his collaborators. Daily Trust reports that over the years, Portable has become known for dragging people he has collaborated with. Just recently, he dragged Asake following his Grammy award loss as he called out Olamide for helping Asake rather than him. Reacting, Skepta, who has been trending on X, said he might be the next person Portable will tackle online. “Why am I trending? Lol. I’ve just seen Portable is dragging somebody again, apparently I’m next. We dey wait lol,” wrote the rapper who previously collaborated with Portable. In January, Skepta had in a tweet commended Portable, saying he has met many fake guys in the industry, but meeting him was refreshing.

Nigerian comedian, Bovi, has revealed that the relocation of his family abroad started by accident. Naija News reports that Bovi, in an interview on the ‘Uncolored’ podcast, explained that he relocated his kids abroad because the Nigerian educational system has accepted bullying. Bovi claimed that students are empowered to bully their fellow students in the name of senior students disciplining their juniors. He said, “My kids don’t live in the country [Nigeria] anymore. They have been in the UK for two years now. It started by accident, my first son has been there since 2021 in boarding house. “I went to boarding school in Nigeria and it made me street-smart. So I decided that my kid needs to go to boarding but not in Nigeria because the educational system has accepted bullying by empowering students to bully their fellows students in the name of senior students disciplining their juniors.”

The Nollywood industry has been thrown into fresh mourning over the sudden death of actress, Pat Ugwu. Naija News understands the death of the 35-year-old actress was confirmed by veteran actor, Emeka Okoye via his Instagram account on Wednesday. Okoye expressed regret that he would not be able to work with Ugwu again and prayed for God’s protection and long life for his other colleagues. Announcing her death, Emeka wrote: “Rest in peace sis. Pat ugwu. @patpat_ugwu so we no get to work again? Death whyooo ? God please ???. Rest in peace PAT. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. God please protect all my colleagues especially those am close to. This unusual Death is frightening . I proclaim life to everyone close to me this 2025 in the precious blood of Jesus. Amen.”

The ongoing conflict between gospel artist Mercy Chinwo and her former record label executive, EezeeTee, has recently escalated, drawing criticism from entertainer MC Orobo towards social media commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM) regarding his recent remarks about Chinwo and EezeeTee. In a widely circulated video, MC Orobo characterized VDM’s assertions as “childish and baseless,” alleging that he misinterpreted the complexities surrounding record label agreements and music rights. “In every record label deal, the artist is entitled to buy out his or her catalog over a period of time,” Orobo clarified, implying that VDM lacks the necessary understanding to comment on the issue competently. The comedian also raised a provocative question: “Why is no one coming forward to speak positively about EezeeTee?”

Instagram gossip blog Cutie_juls has weighed in on the trending AI video drama involving May Edochie, Yul Edochie’s estranged wife, and comedian AY Makun. In a recent post, the blogger alleged that AY Makun made and shared a fake AI video of himself and May Edochie kissing. This video, which portrayed them in a romantic moment on a lavish plane, caused a stir, and AY reacted with anger. According to Cutie_juls, AY’s video was just a way to promote his movie, “The Waiter,” which he is pushing hard with May Edochie. The Instagram gossip blog has commented on the trending AI video drama involving Yul Edochie’s estranged wife, May, and comedian AY Makun. In a new video, the blogger accused comedian AY Makun of making a fake AI video where he and May Edochie are seen kissing.

Following his outing at the recent 67th Grammys, Rema has announced the release date of his new single. The singer made this announcement on his Instagram account where he revealed the song titled 'Baby (Is It A Crime') will be released on Friday 7th, February 2025. The song samples the track 'Is It A Crime' from the iconic 'Promise' album by British band Sade. he song will be Rema's first release of 2025 which comes after his appearance at the 2025 Grammys where he was nominated for the Best Global Album. The category was won by American musician Matt B & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for his album 'Alkebulan II'. Rema's 'Baby (Is It A Crime)' is his first release since he put out his sophomore album 'HEIS' in 2024.

It is 5 weeks into the new year and the two biggest songs in the country are Fido's 'Joy Is Coming' and Lawrence Oyor's viral gospel hit 'Favour'. A common denominator between these songs aside from their musicality, simple lyricism that allows listeners to easily learn the words and sing along, and catchy melodies is that they share a message of hope. Amidst Nigeria's tough economic reality which is the harshest in decades, this writer in a previous article pointed out that there is a need for musicians to make records that reflect the nation's social reality and document the times. Rising star Fido and Gospel act Lawrence Oyor have both crafted records that cater to the yearning for hope and reprieve by millions of Nigerians facing record inflation and poor governance.

Nigerian musician, Ayodeji Balogun, known best as Wizkid, and record label executive, Michael Collins Ajereh, known better as Don Jazzy, have confirmed that they have fully buried the hatchet. This has been confirmed from a recent video which shows both of them together. They were warm to each other and hugged. Their disposition towards each other, from the video, signals that there is no more bad blood between them. Recall that the presumed "beef" between the duo started when the 'Dance (Kese)' crooner took to his X account to engage his fans and his attention was drawn to a post where Ladipoe said Afrobeats is going through its "Afrobeats is dead" phase after Hip Hop survived the "Hip hop is dead" narrative which Wizkid contributed to. Wizkid replied that he's never chatting to any artist signed by an influencer which many believe is a statement that attempted to mock the Mavin Record's label boss Don Jazzy as an influencer.

Fresh from attending the 67th Grammy Awards, where Tems edged him in the Best African Music Performance category, Asake unexpectedly dropped a new single, titled ‘Military.’ Released on Wednesday, the song arrives without prior announcement and appears to be a direct response to critics and an assertion of his artistic freedom. Asake’s choice of title and lyrics suggests what he calls his “military era.” At the Grammys, he attended the ceremony in a two-piece military camouflage and told Billboard that he was in a phase where he did whatever pleased. However, the 30-year-old music star’s appearance has drawn criticism and mixed reactions. His choice of looks has been of concern since January.

Nollywood actress Patience ‘Pat’ Ugwu, popularly known as ‘Sugar Girl,’ has died. She was known for her roles in Lack of Money (2018), Port-Harcourt Lady (2019), and Twist of Fate (2020). She was 35. Beyond acting, she was an online fitness coach for PatPat Fitness, a beauty business owner, and a Permanent Makeup Trainer. Her death was announced on Wednesday in an Instagram post by veteran actor Emeka Okoye, who expressed deep sorrow and shared details of her funeral arrangements. Expressing his shock, Okoye wrote on Instagram, Rest in peace, sis. Pat Ugwu. @patpat_ugwu. So, we no get to work again? Death why? God, please. Rest in peace, PAT. May your soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. Please protect all my colleagues, especially those I’m close to. This unusual death is frightening. I proclaim life to everyone close to me this 2025 in the precious blood of Jesus. Amen.”

Rising gospel artist Word Out has officially launched his music career, setting his sights on stardom while staying true to his Christian faith. Committed to spreading the Gospel through his music, the dynamic singer is ready to take the industry by storm—literally sending the word out. Blending urban, contemporary, and classic gospel styles, Word Out aims to connect with diverse audiences and inspire listeners worldwide. His music is anchored in faith, integrity, and compassion, delivering messages that uplift and motivate. Recently signed to Global Sounds Entertainment, a U.S.-based record label, Word Out is entering an exciting new chapter. With a steadfast belief that his time has come, he is determined to leave a lasting impact while remaining true to his mission of sharing the Good News through his artistry.

Flow Delly, the experienced music manager behind award-winning rapper Medikal, has called for increased investment and structured support to help Ghana’s music industry thrive. Speaking passionately about the challenges plaguing the industry, he emphasized the urgent need for financial backing, better royalty systems, and more recognition for Ghanaian artists on the global stage. According to Flow Delly, many talented musicians are struggling due to a lack of adequate support. “We all know there are so many talented artists out there who need help. It’s heartbreaking to see artists with great potential struggle,” he lamented. He pointed out that the biggest challenge facing the industry is the absence of investors willing to inject funds and resources to help it flourish. “Our music industry needs investors—people who will put in money and resources so that the industry can grow,” he stated.

Fred Nuamah, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Movie Awards, has explained why this year's ceremony suffered low publicity. He told Joy FM's entertainment journalist, Kwame Dadzie in an interview on Showbiz A-Z, that the organisers decided to invite only people in the industry because of security reasons. According to him, the Accra International Conference, which was chosen as venue for the event, had also been selected as office for the government's transition team, which required that they needed not to make too much noise about it. "It is a bit political. Unfortunately for us, when we started we didn't know the government would use the Accra International Conference Centre as their transition office. Secondly, we also didn't know the were going to use the place as their seat of government, so there was a bit of restriction on us," he said.

Ghanaian Rap Sensation Lyrical Joe Gears Up to Drop Much-Awaited Second Studio Album, I AM. Renowned for his sharp lyricism and mind-boggling wordplay, Lyrical Joe promises that this album will push the boundaries of his artistry and solidify his position as one of the best in the rap game. Following the success of his debut album and a series of hit singles, I AM is expected to delve deeper into Lyrical Joe’s growth, versatility, and artistic prowess. The album will offer fans an immersive journey through his personal experiences and powerful lyrical expressions. “This project is personal,” Lyrical Joe shared. “It’s a reflection of who I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m headed. I can’t wait for my fans to experience this journey with me.” With the album’s release just around the corner, fans can expect more information on the tracklist and special guest features in the coming weeks.

In the video, Twene Jonas took to his TikTok page to express his frustrations towards Diana Asamoah to his followers. In the video, he insulted the gospel singer and referred to a recent video where she disclosed that she hardly took a shower and that she had never bathed twice a day ever in her life. In light of this, Twene Jonas noted that Diana stunk as he mentioned parts of her body that were covered in bad smell. The viral TikToker noted that because she always gave off bad odour that was the reason she struggled to find a man who would love her. In the same video, Twene Jonas weighed in on the scandal involving Prophet Ogyaba and his side chic Cassie who came out to say that she was allegedly carrying the pastor's child. Twene Jonas noted that former President Akufo-Addo allegedly did the same with his side chic, Serwaa Broni, in a private jet and people did not make a big deal out of it.

In the video commercial, Ghanaian actor Harold Amenyah visited the home of actress and media personality Naa Ashorkor for her hand in marriage from her family. The traditional ceremony is known as knocking. As they were seated on the compound, Mr Amenyah's phone rang and the ringtone sold him out since it was common to keypad phones. He was embarrassed when Mercy Asiedu, the mother of Naa Ashorkor expressed dissatisfaction with him not owning a smartphone.

frobeats, Reggae, and Dancehall artiste Mo’ Spence is set to captivate listeners worldwide with her latest release, “Your Love,” a soothing lovers’ rock anthem that promises to reignite the flames of romance. As her first release of 2025, the track is built on the iconic “Come Around Riddim” by Collie Buddz, blending nostalgic vibes with Mo’ Spence’s electrifying vocal delivery. This combination creates a timeless sound that will leave listeners wondering where she has been all this time. “Your Love” is more than just a song; it’s an experience. With its heartfelt lyrics and melodic rhythm, the track is designed to make you fall in love over and over again. Mo’ Spence’s unique artistry shines through as she effortlessly fuses Afrobeats, Reggae, and Dancehall influences, creating a fresh and familiar sound. The song is a testament to her versatility as an artiste and her ability to connect with audiences on a deep, emotional level.

In presenting the gift, he told Mrs McBrown Mensah that it was called a gold pack because he was a golden artist and so were the songs he released. "I am a golden artist. My songs are made of gold," he said. The Very Soon crooner noted that over the years in his experience in the music industry, musicians either released clothes, or other souvenirs for their fans whenever they release a new music project.

Ghanaian gospel musician cum preacher Sonnie Badu has sparked controversy with his recent statements on women’s hair choices, particularly the use of wigs. Speaking recently during a sermon at the RockHill Church, the US-based Ghanaian preacher asked women to embrace their natural hair, warning that excessive reliance on wigs could have spiritual consequences. Dr. Badu emphasised that a woman’s natural hair holds sacred significance, and covering it with synthetic or human hair wigs might lead to the loss of “glory.” He cautioned that lots of women unknowingly block their spiritual blessings by consistently wearing wigs instead of embracing the natural beauty given to them by God. “There is a glory that comes with being natural. Some of you don’t even know the origin of the wigs you wear on your head, yet you wear them daily without understanding the spiritual implications. Young ladies, learn to love your natural hair,” Dr. Badu passionately stated during his sermon.